Winning Tradition for Nonprofits

Thursday, October 2, 2014

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (middle) made an impromptu stop at the Sept. 20 SCC Memorabilia Auction, even taking the shirt off his back to raise money for children across New England.
NHMS

New Englander Joey Logano wasn't the only one celebrating a huge victory to cap off the Sept. 18-21 NASCAR weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Local nonprofits throughout New England were also victorious over the four-day event weekend, generating a total of $364,701 from the help of volunteer organizations and the events put on by the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.

During each major event weekend, New Hampshire Motor Speedway depends on teams of impassioned fundraising groups to help with parking, landscaping, cleaning, ushering, and much more. In return, the speedway donates money to each group that goes toward the nonprofit organization their representing.

"The time and dedication of our volunteers is enormous in allowing us to put on such terrific race weekends," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. "We want our guests, fans, race teams and officials to leave New Hampshire Motor Speedway feeling like they were taken care of with the utmost respect and courtesy. Our volunteers play an instrumental role in that."

Volunteer groups traveled from all across New England to participate. Among those groups was Teen Challenge, a group of teens and young adults from Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire that put in more than 2,000 community service hours over the last couple months, leading right into and through race week.

A total of 100 organizations were represented, and due to the hard work and dedication of those volunteers more than $205,000 in revenue was generated (a total of $334,000 between the two race weekends). Checks ranged from $611 to over $9,440 for each group.

The New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities also had a strong SYLVANIA 300 NASCAR weekend. Thanks in large part to events like the Charity Clay Shoot, SYLVANIA Media Lobster Fest, Driver Memorabilia Auction and the Red Bucket Brigade, the SCC was able to raise more than $159,000 for local children's charities and groups. All told, between the July and September race weekends, the SCC raised more than $281,000.

"This was a weekend to remember," said Cheryl LaPrade, director of SCC's NH Chapter. "I honestly can't thank everyone enough for all of their hard work and dedication in making this one of our biggest and best weekends to date."

With two more NASCAR weekends scheduled for July and September of 2015, the speedway will once again be looking for assistance from local nonprofit groups and volunteers, ages 14 and older. For more information on becoming a NHMS volunteer please visit http://www.nhms.com/speedway/fundraising/.